Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

The legalization of cannabis, much better known as marijuana, is one of the most controversially discussed issues in our country today. Marijuana has many specific medical benefits and is a better alternative to other medications already permitted for medical use. In 2012, two states legalized marijuana for recreational use. An additional 18 states, plus the District of Columbia, had already legalized medical marijuana. Even though marijuana is still illegal at the Federal level, President Barack Obama said very clearly that his administration will not seek to enforce the law in states that have deemed cannabis legal.

Today, the idea of marijuana (cannabis) being legalized has created major controversy within the United States. In the article, “Legislation to Legalize Marijuana Discussed,” Paul J. Nyden discusses the legislation of the legalization of marijuana use, especially for medical purposes. Nyden presents several reason’s to support his thesis, but the main issue is, should supporters of marijuana legislation in West Virginia back various reform laws saying they could offer people medical help, create new state tax revenues, cut prison cost, and enhance an industry already booming underground (Nyden). Some ideas used in Nyden’s article stating most people even delegates like Mike Manypenny, and D-Taylor backing the

In the recent years, there has been a push, nationwide, to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. In most states, medical marijuana is legal and in some states, so is recreational. But the legalization of recreational marijuana may have detrimental effects. In the recent election, Arizona had a ballot measure (prop 205) which called for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Prop 205 lost and recreational marijuana is not currently legal. However, it is likely that the advocates for this campaign will work to get their issue on the next ballot. If Recreational Marijuana is legalized in Arizona the number of deaths per year will rise because it is likely there will be an increase in the use of other addictive substances, there will be an increase in traffic violations and accidents, and the number of people effected by lung cancer and other medical issues will increase.

Marijuana usage has been on the rise for the past decade. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 94 million Americans have admitted to using marijuana at least once (2015). This can be said to be a pandemic, which is continuing to increase. Even though the recreational usage of marijuana is illegal within most of the United States, it continues to be used and is widely sold in the black market. States have started to realize that taxing the recreational use of marijuana can bring in more revenues for the state. Currently, four states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of marijuana by taxing it (CNN, 2015). Taxing the recreational use of marijuana can be beneficial to states, but it will be competing with the tax of medical marijuana, which will be less and the illegal sales from the black market. States have to provide a reasonable tax with incentives, so that people would want to purchase recreational marijuana instead of purchasing it illegally.

“The government's position is that marijuana is currently categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance, and is therefore subject to the most severe restrictions contained within the CSA”(Garvey 2). The federal law believes that marijuana can be abused which is why it is not accepted as a treatment in the United States. The federal laws make the result in having marijuana very severe. Though not so severe, the state laws have restrictions on marijuana too. Additionally, all states but

Growing up, everyone has been taught that "Drugs are bad." As kids, we nodded and promised not to be influenced by drugs; however, many people in society today are drug users or addicts.

Getting the audience’s attention- “Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit…. unnatural?” This is a quote from Bill Hicks.

Currently there are 23 states where marijuana is legal for medical use only, and 4 states where it is legal recreationally. Some facts about marijuana are studies have shown that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, over 800,000 people are arrested every year for possession of marijuana or anything related to marijuana charges, and George Washington grew marijuana in his yard. “In 23 states and the District of Columbia cannabis is legal for some medical uses, and a majority of Americans favor legalization for recreational use. Other countries are rethinking their relationship to pot too. Uruguay has voted to legalize it. Portugal has decriminalized it. Israel, Canada, and the Netherlands have medical marijuana programs, and in recent years numerous countries have liberalized possession laws” (Sides).

As of 2013, fifty-eight percent of Americans are in support of marijuana legalization. States are slowly beginning to defy Federal laws and live by their own guidelines regarding medical and recreational use of the product. Yes, technically, every state has its very own right to do as they wish on this law, but at the same time, individuals can still be Federally prosecuted. This causes the public to feel doubt and distrust. Statistics are beginning to show medical benefits, large profits, and a drop in the percentage of violence and other crimes in states that have already chosen to legalize. Individual states deserve the power to legalize marijuana over the Federal Government, and should be given the opportunity to treat their residents

Zoned out looking, T-shirt wearing Grateful Dead slacker, long hair and unwashed, their brain cleansed out with any thought is a stereotypical marijuana user. The thought of someone like this makes people cringe. Society looks at marijuana as a drug that people go to, so they are able to escape their problems and worries. The older population seems to oppose the legalization of marijuana while younger age groups along with ethnic groups tend to be more open to legalize the use of marijuana. Marijuana is one of many substances that have acquired a lot of awareness in recent years. However, marijuana is one of the most misunderstood drugs on the market. Legalizing marijuana is a very controversial issue in the American society. Although

Recreational marijuana use is an issue that affects so many lives of people over the years. Whether the user is young or old, it can still harm their health both physically and mentally, and despite the fact that people say it can help reduce or put an end to the drug war violence and thus lower down crime rates in countries like Mexico (Berlatsky, 2), meaning it would decrease the amount of violence and problems from occurring, it’s not enough to outweigh the risks of recreational marijuana on people. Basically, since marijuana has several harmful health effects like impairing your memory, respiratory problems and even cancer, behavior change, and so much more (Thompson, 1), the government should NOT legalize recreational marijuana.

The argument over whether marijuana should be legalized has always been a controversial topic, troubling many American citizens. However, marijuana and its essential cannabinoids, such as THC, were used long before America was even an idea. Many ancient civilizations have used marijuana in medical practices. For example, the Egyptians used marijuana to treat sore eyes. As scientific studies continue, some effects of cannabis on the body are proving to be more positive. Recreational laws in four states and medical laws in more than twenty states have led to more research. Consequently, the benefits of marijuana are beginning to rise and marijuana is becoming more and more socially acceptable. Medical marijuana should be legalized nationwide because of its many positive benefits on American medical care, and its ability to boost the economy and provide job opportunities.

In the debate to legalize Marijuana, there are people for the legalization and there are people who are against the legalization. Before I get too far into my own side and the opinions I have to go along with it, I’m going to give you some information to help you better decide your own side. The main thing going around right now to legalize Marijuana is Prohibition 48. Prohibition 48 is the amendment to the state constitution proposed by the people of Mississippi. In my research on the subject I found that prohibition 48 is said to be the ending of Marijuana prohibition in Mississippi. This prohibition will legalize medical and recreational marijuana use. It will also follow up with growing up Marijuana and all Hemp products. Forgiveness will be given to all offenders that aren’t violent. The only thing is that recreational marijuana will be taxed and I am not particularly sure how I feel about that. According to Yes to Prohibition 48 “Proceeds from these taxes will wholly and directly benefit Mississippi schools.” The end of this prohibition will bring with it many changes to legal, economy, educational, and healthcare systems. Throughout all of my research on the subject of legalizing marijuana my opinion on the subject has grown tremendously. Marijuana will be a great contribution to our medical systems and the research that will be done on it will give way to greater medicines than we could possibly imagine.

America is currently embroiled in a debate about the use of marijuana. Our nation is slowly moving in the direction of legalization for both medicinal and recreational use, but we’re still not actually sure of the effects that it will have on our society in the long term. I want to find out if using marijuana at a young age can be directly linked to an early death. By examining a group over a very long term, you could compare the age they started using marijuana and their age when they die.

With recreational drugs becoming more common in our society, the public is growing more concerned with the negative effects of these substances, especially the effects of marijuana. Those who do not know enough about drugs generally think that “marijuana is bad for you” or “marijuana can kill people”. Although these preconceived notions do not often have scientific data as backup, there have also been multiple studies supporting the claims that marijuana is detrimental to people´s health. Even though today many people, especially teenagers, do support the legalization of marijuana, this recreational drug is detrimental to health because it affects motor skills, mental abilities, and suppresses motivation, and therefore should not be